In a dramatic move, acclaimed actress Gabrielle Union is the latest high-profile figure to exit the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Gabrielle Union announced her departure from the controversial platform on Friday, declaring in a candid post that “enough is enough”.
“There are pivotal moments in life when we must declare that enough is enough, and for me, today is that day,” Union wrote in her statement. The “Being Mary Jane” star cited the “recent and upcoming changes to the terms of service” as well as the “return of volatile figures” as key reasons behind her decision to step away from X.
Union, who has amassed over 4.2 million followers on the platform, expressed her commitment to engaging in digital spaces that “truly value inclusivity, respect, and integrity.” She acknowledged that at times, this requires “identifying the final threshold and knowing when to withdraw.”
The actress thanked her loyal followers for the “laughs, the insights, and the endless support,” assuring them that she will remain active on other social media platforms, including Instagram, Threads, TikTok, BlueSky, Spill, and Facebook.
Joining A Growing List Of X Exiles
Union is the latest in a growing list of celebrities, media personalities, and public figures who have announced their departure from X in recent days. Earlier this week, veteran actress Jamie Lee Curtis and former CNN host Don Lemon revealed that they were deactivating their accounts on the platform.
While they didn’t explicitly cite Elon Musk as the reason for their exit, their announcements came amid the news that President-elect Donald Trump and Vivek Ramaswamy will be partnering on an initiative titled the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), a move that has raised concerns among many.
Lemon, in particular, highlighted the platform’s new terms of service, which will require users to file lawsuits against X in Texas courts, as a key factor behind his decision to leave the platform. He expressed concerns that this change could make it easier for X to “shield itself from litigation and punish critics.”
The Guardian, the Berlin Film Festival, NPR, and luxury fashion house Balenciaga have also announced their departure from X in recent months, as the platform has grappled with a surge in issues such as bots, racism, misogyny, harassment, scams, conspiracy theories, disinformation, and pornography following Musk’s acquisition in 2022.
A Surge In Alternatives
The wave of celebrities and media figures leaving X has coincided with a surge in the popularity of social media upstarts like BlueSky and Threads, which have emerged as alternatives to Musk’s platform.
BlueSky, in particular, has seen incredible growth since the presidential election, with more than 1 million new users joining the site just on Thursday alone. The platform now boasts over 15 million users, as many self-imposed X exiles seek out new digital spaces that align with their values.
Threads, the Meta-owned app, has also enjoyed a healthy post-election boost, with a 6.8% jump in daily users since the election. The app now has 11 million daily active users, according to data shared with TheWrap by Sensor Tower.
Despite the high-profile departures, X has still managed to see a 5% increase in its daily user base after the election, according to Sensor Tower’s data. However, the exodus of celebrities, journalists, and other prominent figures has undoubtedly dealt a blow to the platform’s reputation and credibility.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Gabrielle Union’s decision to leave X serves as a powerful statement about the need for social media platforms to prioritize inclusivity, respect, and integrity—values that she believes are no longer fully upheld on Elon Musk’s embattled social network.
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